In short
Spain's golden visa is closed. Organic Law 1/2025 repealed the investor visa (articles 63–67 of Law 14/2013) with effect from 3 April 2025, citing pressure on housing. No new applications are accepted for any of the former routes — €500,000 in property, €2 million in public debt, €1 million in shares, funds or deposits, or a business project of general interest. Applications filed before 3 April 2025 are decided under the old rules, and people who already hold an investor visa or permit can renew under the rules that applied when it was first granted. The rest of Law 14/2013 still applies, so the digital nomad, entrepreneur and highly qualified permits are open. Americans with passive income can use the non-lucrative visa (€2,400 a month), and investors who want a golden visa can look at Greece, Portugal, Italy, Malta or Latvia.
Spain golden visa: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Golden visa | Closed: Organic Law 1/2025 repealed the investor visa from 3 April 2025. Applications filed before that date are decided under the old rules, and existing holders can renew# Source: Inversores – Unidad de Grandes Empresas (Ministerio de Inclusión) |
|---|---|
| Former golden visa routes | €500,000 in unencumbered real estate, €2 million in Spanish public debt, €1 million in shares, funds or bank deposits, or a business project of general interest# Source: Legal alert: Eliminación de la Golden Visa (KPMG Abogados) |
| Law 14/2013 | Only its investor section (arts. 63–67) was repealed — the law still governs the entrepreneur, highly qualified and digital nomad permits handled by the UGE# Source: Criterios aplicables en España a la renovación de la Golden Visa (Uría Menéndez) |
| Non-lucrative visa | Passive income or savings of 400% of IPREM — €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year in 2026 — plus €600 a month (€7,200 a year) per dependant; no work of any kind, including remote work# Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York – Non-Working Residence Visa · Consulate General of Spain in Chicago – Non-Lucrative Residence Visa |
| Digital nomad visa | Gross income of at least 200% of the minimum wage — €34,188 a year in 2026 (about €2,849 a month; US consulates quote €2,442 × 14) — plus 75% of the minimum wage for the first family member and 25% for each other; a degree or 3 years of experience; at least 3 months with your employer or clients, an employer operating for 1 year, and freelancers may earn up to 20% from Spanish clients# Source: Consulate General of Spain in Washington – Telework (Digital nomad) Visa · Consulate General of Spain in Houston – Telework Visa (Digital Nomad Visa) |
| Entrepreneur permit | For an innovative business with a favourable ENISA report; visa for 1 year or a permit of up to 3 years applied for inside Spain at the UGE, decided in 20 working days# Source: Nota informativa: modificaciones introducidas en la Ley 14/2013 por la Ley de empresas emergentes (ECIJA) · Consulate General of Spain in Houston – Telework Visa (Digital Nomad Visa) · Billin - La visa de emprendedor en España (Ley 14/2013) |
| Long-term residence | After 5 years of continuous legal residence (no absence over 6 months, 10 months in total), with health insurance and sufficient resources; card renewed every 5 years# Source: Hoja 50 – Autorización de residencia de larga duración UE (Ministerio de Inclusión) |
| Citizenship | 10 years of legal, continuous residence for Americans (2 for Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea; 1 if married to a Spaniard), plus the DELE A2 Spanish and CCSE civics exams# Source: Código Civil (BOE) arts. 22–23 · Instituto Cervantes – Nacionalidad española (DELE A2 y CCSE) |
| Wealth tax | Regional wealth tax above €700,000 (plus €300,000 for your home) at 0.2–3.5%; the state solidarity tax of 1.7–3.5% applies above €3 million even where regions give relief# Source: Patrimonio – Comunidad de Madrid 2026 (Guía Fiscal) · 80 claves del impuesto a las grandes fortunas (AEDAF) |
| Property purchase tax | Resale homes pay regional transfer tax — 6% in Madrid, 7% in Andalusia, 9–11% in Valencia, 10–13% in Catalonia; new builds pay 10% VAT plus stamp duty# Source: Hipotecas.me – ITP bonificado en 2026 por comunidad · BOE – Ley 37/1992 del Impuesto sobre el Valor Añadido |
| Proposed buyer tax | A May 2025 bill for a tax of up to 100% on homes bought by non-EU non-residents has not become law (October 2026)# Source: PwC Periscopio Fiscal – Nuevo impuesto sobre la transmisión de inmuebles a no residentes en la UE |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
The closure applies to every non-EU investor, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits are in the same position as Americans. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Citizenship | 10 years for Americans and most others; 2 years for citizens of Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra and the Philippines. |
|---|---|
| Buying property | Anyone can still buy property in Spain — it simply no longer gives residence. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them. Add an official Spanish translation.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
At a Glance
The Spain Golden Visa in 2026
The government repealed the investor visa through Organic Law 1/2025, a justice-efficiency law, explaining that property purchases by investors were adding to pressure on housing. Only the investor section of Law 14/2013 was removed; the same law still governs the entrepreneur, highly qualified and digital nomad permits handled by the Large Companies Unit (UGE).
Former Routes
Spain Golden Visa: The Former Investment Routes
| Former route | Minimum | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Real estate (unencumbered) | €500,000 | Closed to new applicants |
| Spanish public debt | €2,000,000 | Closed to new applicants |
| Shares in Spanish companies | €1,000,000 | Closed to new applicants |
| Investment or venture capital funds | €1,000,000 | Closed to new applicants |
| Bank deposits | €1,000,000 | Closed to new applicants |
| Business project of general interest | No fixed amount | Closed to new applicants |
Former Law 14/2013, arts. 63–67, repealed by Organic Law 1/2025. Source: KPMG Abogados: elimination of the golden visa · UGE: investors
Existing Holders
If You Already Hold a Spain Golden Visa
Pending applications
Applications filed before 3 April 2025 are decided under the old rules, so a visa or permit can still be granted.
Renewals
Existing investor visas and permits stay valid, and renewals are processed under the rules in force when the first authorisation was granted.
Keep the investment
Renewal still depends on keeping the qualifying investment, and you cannot switch from a non-property investment to property.
Long-term residence
After 5 years of continuous legal residence (no absence over 6 months, 10 months in total), with health insurance and sufficient resources; card renewed every 5 years.
Selling the qualifying investment before renewal means you can no longer renew as an investor. Check another route — such as the non-lucrative visa — before you sell.
Alternatives
Spain Residency Options That Remain Open
Non-Lucrative Visa
€2,400 a month (€28,800 a year) in income or savings; no work.
- Min. income
- €2,400/month
Digital Nomad Visa
€34,188 a year from employers or clients outside Spain; up to 3 years.
- Min. income
- €34,188/year
Entrepreneur Permit
An innovative business with a favourable ENISA report; up to 3 years.
- Report
- ENISA
Before You Buy
What You Need to Know About Buying Property in Spain
Purchase tax
Resale homes pay regional transfer tax — 6% in Madrid, 7% in Andalusia, 9–11% in Valencia, 10–13% in Catalonia; new builds pay 10% VAT plus stamp duty.
Holiday lets
Since April 2025 a new tourist flat needs approval from 3/5 of the building's owners, and since July 2025 short-term listings need a national registration number.
Proposed buyer tax
A May 2025 bill for a tax of up to 100% on homes bought by non-EU non-residents has not become law (October 2026).
Wealth tax
Regional wealth tax above €700,000 (plus €300,000 for your home) at 0.2–3.5%; the state solidarity tax of 1.7–3.5% applies above €3 million even where regions give relief.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is the Spain golden visa still open?
No. It closed to new applications on 3 April 2025 under Organic Law 1/2025. Applications filed before that date are decided under the old rules.
Can I renew my existing Spanish golden visa?
Yes. Existing holders can renew under the rules that applied when their authorisation was first granted, as long as they keep the investment.
Does buying property in Spain still give residence?
No. You can buy property, but it no longer qualifies for any residence permit.
What are the alternatives to the Spain golden visa?
In Spain, the non-lucrative visa (€2,400 a month), the digital nomad visa (€34,188 a year) and the entrepreneur permit. For investment-based residence, look at Greece, Portugal, Italy, Malta or Latvia.
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